mccallubl



' Patented Dec. 20, l898.- W. A. F. MGCALLUM.

(No Model.)

VACUUM LIFTING APPARATUS FOR MALT QB QTHEB LIQUOBS.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 1898.) Y

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

m. 6|6,|99. Patahted Dec. 20, less.

w. A. F. McOALLUM.

VACUUM LIFTING APPARATUS FOR MALT OR OTHER LIUUOBS.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 1898.)

-(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shapt 2.

di d a? Paiented Dec. 20, I898.

w. F. mcALLuM. VAGUUM'LIFTING APPARATUS FOR MALT OR OTHER LIGUORS.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

-(No Model.)

UNITED STATES. PATENT Tomes.

WILLIAM A. R'Mco'ALLUM, on PnILADELrI A, PENNSYLVANlA, ASSIGNQR on ONE-IIALFTO JAMES acamrrrns, on SAME PLACE.-

VACUUM 'LIFTING APPARATUS FOR'NlALT OR OTHEFi LIQUORS.

l i SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,199, dated December 20, I899; l r l Application its March 31,1898. $erialll'o. 676,856. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: said coupling having a sight-tube todeter- Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. F. MGGAL- mine the height of liquid in the cask and hav- LUM, a citizen of the United States, residing ing also a vertically-perforated check-valve at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of to prevent the rapid return of liquid from the Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have receiver-pipe to the cask. 4 invented certain new and useful Improve- My invention, stated in general terms, conments in Vacuum Lifting Apparatus for Malt sists of an apparatus for the elevation of ale, or other Liquors, of which the following is a beer, and similar malt liquids constructed specification. and arranged in substantially the manner 10 My invention has relation to an apparatus hereinafter described and claimed. for elevating ale beer, and other malt liquors The nature and scope of my invention will by means of a vacuum and to that type of be more fully understood from the following apparatus wherein the liquid is elevated did 6 31 i1)i g l l,jfl k6fl in conhe.ctionmith.the.ac.-

" rectly'to"the"fiispens1ngapparatus without oompanying drawings, forming part hereof,

[5 passing through the vacuum-creating appain which-- ratus, and insuch connection it relates par- Figural isa diagrammatic view, partly secticularly to the construction and arrangement tioned, of an apparatus embodying main feaof such an apparatus. tures of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged The principal objects of my invention are, detail view, partly sectioned, of the dispens 2o first, to provide a simple and efiectiye appaing portion of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is an ratus for the elevation by a vacuum of ale, enlarged side elevationalview, partly secbeer, or sim'lar malt liquid from a cask or tioned, of the coupling between a cask and a barrel to the dispensing apparatus without pipe leading to the receiver. Fig. 4 is an enpassing the liquid through the vacuum-crelarged vertical sectional view of the water- 7 2 5 atingapparatus and without afiecting in a injector or vacuum-creating apparatus and material or appreciable manner the freshness its check-valve. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the liquid; second, to provide in such an view. of the valve for automatically closing apparatus, in connection with the receiver, a the upper end of the vacuum pipe. Fig. 6 is registering device whereby the amount of a side elevational view, enlarged, of the cock o liquid drawn and dispensed may be easily for bringing one of two casks alternatelyinto 8o determined; third, to provide in such an apcommunication with the receiver. Fig, 7 is paratusmeans whereby when the receiver is a horizontal sectional view, enlarged, taken full the vacuum-pipe is automatically closed through the air-inlet-of the dispensing fanto prevent the overflow of the liquid into said cet or spigot; and Fig. 8 is a transverse view 3 5 pipe; fourth, to provide in such an apparatus of the float and registering device illustrated a dispensing-spigot having'an outlet for the in side elevation in Fig. 2. liquid and an air-inlet, said air-inlet having Referring to the drawings and particularly an extension or slot, so that it will admit air to Fig. 1, a a represent the casks containing into the receiver just prior to the withdrawal the liquid and usually located in the cellar.

40 of liquid, whereby air is prevented from rush- These casks'a a are connected by pipes b b ing up the outlet and foaming of the liquid with a; receiver B, which is. also connected obviated; fifth, to provide in such an appaby a pipe (1 with a reservoir D, from-which ratus avacuum apparatus comprising a tank air is exhausted by any suitable means, but

' or receptacle, a pipe leading therefrom and preferably by the water-injector E. The re- 45 controlled by a check-valve, and a waterceiver B is provided with a dispensing spigot 5 injector connected to said pipe below the or faucet B. The details of construction of valve and adapted to exhaust air from said the receiver B, its spigot or faucet 'B, and plpe and tank, and, sixth, to providein such the necessary pipe OODIIGGHOHS. are clearly an apparatus a coupling between the caskillustrated in Fig. 2. The receiver consists 5 Sp got and the pipe leading to the receiver, of a bell or jar b, Inverted and having its Ioo mouth b screwed or'otherwise secured by an pipe extends to near the top of the jar b, so air-tight joint to a nozzle 6 secured to and as to create the vacuum in said ar at that carried by a standard 6 which is itself suppoint. As a result of the vacuum so created ported by preferably the shelf B which, as the liquid willbe elevated from the cask a to 5 shown in the drawings, is supposed to be the receiver B. The pipe dis controlled by the bar behind which the attendant stands. a cock at, which when open permits of theex- WVithin the standard or stand-pipe b is suphaust through the pipe to a tank or reservoir ported a block 21 having an opening or pas- D of air from the reservoir. Should the cock sage b for the passage of liquid, which pasd and a cook it, hereinafter fully described, sage is in communication at its lower end remain always open,the receiver will speedily with the pipes 12 b and at its upper end with be filled, and if the cook 01' is not closed at the jar b" of the receiver B. The passage 12 the proper time by reason of neglect or acciis also in communication with the faucet Bf. dent the liquid in the receiver B would ordi- The jar b of the receiver B is surrounded by narily overflow into the pipe d'and thence -15 a casing 12' of preferably sheet metal, which through the reservoir D to the vacuum appa- 'has a vertically-arranged slot 12 through ratus E. To prevent this overflow, the pipe which the interior of the jar b may be viewed, d is provided at its top with an overflow-valve said jar being preferably made of glass. The consisting of a ball d of rubber or other-suit- 5 jar at that portion opposite the slot b of the able material carried at one end of an arm or casing b is provided with a scale I), preferlever d pivoted, as at d, to the pipe and havably etched into the glass. Within the jar b ing the other end weighted, as at d so that extends the vacuum or exhaust pipe (I, termithe ball 01 will normally be held away from mating near the upper end of the jar. Inside the opening of the pipe d. The weighted end 9 the jar b is located the registering device, d of the arm d is arrangedin the path of the preferably arranged as shown in detail at float f and box f, so that in rising the box Figs. 2 and 8. This preferred arrangement f will strike against and raise said end (1 to consists of a rack j; secured to or formed intethereby throw the ball oZ down upon the opengral with the vacuum-pipe d. Surrounding. ing of the pipe at and effectually close or seal 91 the pipe and rack and guided thereby is a box the same. When the float descends again, 0 orbracketf,supported uponafloatlf In the the weighted end 01 will fall, lifting the ball box f is fixed a shaft f on which rotates a from the pipe cl. pinion f, in mesh with the rack f. The pinion The dispensing spigot or faucet B, as illusf has a face or plain disk f against which trated in detail in Figs. 2 and 7, has a plug rc rests in frictional contact a toothed disk f, g, provided with a straightway-outlet 9, con- 5 the movement of which in one direction is trolling the outlet of liquid from the reserprevented by a pawl f. This toothed disk voir B. The plug 9 is also provided with an or ratchet f is provided on its outer face with air-inlet 9 the rear' of which is enlarged or a series of numerals l, 2, &c., and slotted, as at 9 and adapted to register with to is held in frictional contact with the face f a pipe 9 leading to the exhaust or vacuum 40 of the pinion f bya springf On the fixed pipe 01. This inlet 9 atits unenlarged or unshaft f is secured a fixed pointer f", under slotted end communicates, when the plug is which the ratchet f revolves to bring'sucturned to open the outlet,with an opening or ceeding numerals in alinement with the vent g for theentrance of air. pointer. From this description it will be un- The construction above described is adapt- 5 derstood that as liquid rises in-the jar b the ed to prevent foaming of the liquid as it esfloat f and pinion f will move upward on capes from the faucet of the receiver for the the rack f, and the pinion and ratchet f will following reason: As the plug is turned to turn in one direction together a-distance depermit of the drawing ofi of the liquid the n 5 termined by the position assumed by the un air-inlet, by reason of its enlargement or slot 50. merals on the ratchet f with respect tothe g", is brought into alinement with and opens pointer f". As liquid is drawn off the float the pipe g leading to the pipe d, a short inand pinion f will fall and the-pinion f will terval of time prior to the discharge of liquid be turned back by the rack. Inasmuch as through the outlet g. Air will therefore en :20 the pawl f prevents reverse movement to the ter through the air-inlet and the pipes g and 5 ratchet f the'numeral on the ratchet will ind into the receiver B before the liquid esdicate what height the float ascended. In capes, and hence air will not be sucked the same manner each time the float ascends through the outlet g when the same is opened. the ratchet moves, adding up by means of the In this connection it should be noted that in- 12 5 numerals and pointer the various amounts asmuch as the area of the outlet 9 is greater of liquid entering the jar. By comparing the than that of the air-inlet 9 if said air-inlet amount which has entered, as indicated on were not first opened the exhaust in the rethe ratchet f, with the amount remaining, as ceiver B would suck air through the outlet determined by the sight-scale b the amount 9 in preference to the air-inlet g thus caus- 13o drawn 01f can can be readily and accurately ing foaming of the liquid as it leaves the ascertained. As before stated, the pipe d is faucet. T

connected with a suitable apparatus E for In the drawings the apparatus is shown for creating a vacuum. The upper end of this use with two casks. In such case it is obvi- (ms that the pipes b I) leading from said casks must be provided with means whereby one or the other may at will be brought into'communication with the receiver. This is accomplished, preferably, as illustrated in Figs.

2 and 6 of the drawings, by means of a twoway valve h, operated bya handle h in such manner that the valve may be turned to open communication with either of the two pipes b b or to entirely close both pipes.

In the drawing of ale and similar malt liquors from casks or barrels, and for which the Y the pipe 12 present invention is especially applicable, it is desirable that the contents of the casks be not disturbed too violently, inasmuch as stringy mucous formations are deposited in the cask, which will readily mix with the decanted liquid, rendering the same cloudy and unsalable. Thus, for instance, liquid in the receiver B be permitted to flow violently back into the cask it will at once become turbid, or if the attendant should desire to ascertain the amount of liquid in said cask and, as usual, should tap the same with a mallet the shock .thus occasioned would cause the deleterious effect above mentioned. To obviate these difliculties, an arrangement is made use of substantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, whereby the pipe I) and spigot 01. of the cask are connected by-a U'=-shapedbend or coupling-pipe m. This pipe on has one end secured to the pipe I) by a screw-collar m and the other end similarly secured to aspigota' by a screw-collar m". The bend at of the. pipe m base of the cask a, and the pipe m is provided, as at m with a sight-glass, by means of which the attendant can readily see when the liquid is nearly exhausted without striking the cask. To permit slow drainage or return of liquid from the pipes b b and the receiver B to the casks,-so that the liquid will not remain inthe pipes and become stale, the couplings m are each provided with a check-valve at, having one or more vertically-arranged perforations at, through which the liquid above the checkvalve may slowly drain into the cask without disturbing the contents of said cask. In Figs. 1 and 4 is illustrated a preferred form of apparatus for creating a vacuum in the receiver-B. It consists, essentially, of a water-injector E, comprising a casing p, in one end of which enters the reducing-nozzle p or water-inlet, and in the other end is located the expanded outlet .1), in alinement with the nozzle 19'. From the casing p leads connecting the casing with the reservoir D. The pipe 19 as it enters the casing 19 is normally closed by a check-valve consisting of a ball p normally held to close the pipe 10 by means of the spring 1). This construction prevents thedrawing of water from the casing 19 intothe pipe 10 whenever the vacuum'in the reservoir D becomes too great. A pipe. 19 and gage 12 connected with the extends on a line with the I valve controlling said pipe,

reservoir D, serve to indicate the vacuum in said reservoir.

- Having thus jects'ofmy invention, what I claim as new, and desire to' secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an apparatus of the character described, a receiver under a vacuum and in direct communication with the source of liquidsupply, a float located in said receiver, a rack fixedin said receiver, a pinion carried by said flo'at and in mesh with said rack, a ratchet in frictional contact with said pinion and a disk provided with numerals on one face, carried by said ratchet, said disk and ratchet adapted to be turned in one direction by said pinionwhen the float rises in said receiver, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a receiver in direct communication with the source of liquid-supply, a pipe extending through the receivera'nd adapted to create a vacuum at the upper end thereof, a float located in said receiver, a box secured to said float and guided by said pipe, a rack secured to said pipe, a pinion adapted to rotate in said box and in mesh with said rack, a ratchet frictionally held in contact with said pinion and adapted to move in one direction therewith, a pawl adapted to prevent reverse movement of said ratchet, a pointer fixed to said box-and beneath which the ratchet is adapted to move, and numerals carried by the face of said ratchet and adapted in connection with said pointer to forma register to determine the upward movements of said float, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a receiver comprising a transparent jar and a metallic casing surrounding the same, a vertical slot formed in said casing described the nature and-ob-v and a scale carried by the jar and registering with the slot, in combination with a float lo= cated in the jar, a rack ceiver, a pinion carried bysaid float and in mesh with said rack, and an ind icator-diskin frictional contact with said pinion and movable in one direction therewith, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a receiver, an exhaust-pipe traversing the same and adapted to create a vacuum fixed within said re-' at its upper end, a float located within the receiver, and a weighted valve normally out of contact with the upper end of the exhaustpipe and adapted to be operated by the float to close said exhaust-pipe, andfor the purposes described. I

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a receiver under vacuum, apipe leading thereto, a verticallyperforated checka. U -shaped coupling connecting said pipe with the cask or liquid-receptacle, the bend of said coupling beingat or near the bottom of said cask, and

substantially as a sight 'glass located on said coupling, substantially as and .for the purposes described.

6. In an apparatus of the character described,1n combination with a receivin g-chamber under vacuum and provided with a dis,- pensing faucet or spigot, of a cask having a spigot or faucet and located below the receivof said cask, the bend of said coupling being said cask, substanat or near the bottom of tially as and for the purposes described.

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set I my signature in the presence of two subscrib ing Witnesses.

WILLIAM A. F. MccALL ing-chamber, a pipe leading from the recei vv Witnesses:

J. WALTER DoUGLAss, THOMAS M. SMITH. 

